The Walking Dead's Hottest Star On Killing Zombies

I’m not just talking about stockpiling a bunch of high-caliber boom sticks, doing target practice and blasting the walking dead right between the lookers to spray their brains all over creation. Killing zombies is physically demanding, and actress Laurie Holden, who plays Andrea on the top-rated series The Walking Dead, is up to the task.

Take A Look At Laurie In Action:

“I’m an athlete,” Laurie told me. “I love water sports in particular. I’m an avid swimmer and try to get into the pool every day. I wouldn’t think that zombies can swim.”

Swimming is Laurie’s main form of exercise. So much so that, “When production can’t find me, a personal assistant is sent to the pool to look.” Laurie then explained that working on the set of The Walking Dead takes a big toll, both emotionally and physically, and that swimming 100 laps at the end of the day clears her head and helps her relax.

It’s a tough job, killing zombies while the camera rolls.

But it’s not just the pool, of course. Although admittedly not a gym rat, Laurie said she loves pilates, which is actually an excellent form of resistance exercise. “Pilates is the only thing I do at a gym, per se, but it’s in a private session. It makes me very flexible and physically strong, but it doesn’t bulk you up.”

Laurie also loves the outdoors.

“I love to hike all over,” she told me. “I spend my time between L.A. and Atlanta, and I hike a lot in those areas, but when I travel, I can put on my hiking shoes and hike for hours in nature just about anywhere.”

I asked Laurie if there were any similarities between her and her character, Andrea.

“I feel like my personality suits the character because I’m very physically active, and Andrea is a warrior and a zombie killer,” she said. “I love being able to go to work and have it be so physical. It’s most of the fun.”

She says the role is very physically demanding, and that she can’t imagine being on the show and not being athletic.

“Most of the stunts are done by me because I like them to be done by me,” Laurie said. “It’s a very challenging show to create and we take pride in really going for it. All of us have been in and out of the hospital with bruises and cuts and dislocations. Getting hurt is like a badge of honor to make it real.”

That’s dedication.

And Laurie is just as dedicated to her fitness regimen. Many see exercise as toil and drudgery: a punishment to be endured to achieve a specific outcome, but not her. “I’m a human being and there are days when I don’t feel like being active. But overall I love it so much I don’t often have to do anything to motivate myself.” She says it just makes her feel good to work out, both mentally and spiritually. I get that.

And then I wondered what kind of nutrition it takes to be such a post-apocalyptic badass.

“I don’t really go on diets,” she told me. “I don’t stress out too much about it because I have such a balanced diet that it just sort of works for me. My body craves fruits and vegetables, so I’m lucky that way.” Most of the time, she just doesn’t crave unhealthy food, but there are still times when she likes chocolate.

“What girl doesn’t want chocolate?” Laurie said.

And she also loves Italian food, “But I never feel particularly good after eating that because it’s so heavy. It’s a treat that I pay for.” There are times that she likes to indulge, but she never obsesses about it. Laurie has a healthy attitude toward food, which I think might be rare in Hollywood. I applaud her for her down-to-earth approach to eating.

I ask Laurie if she thinks she has what it takes to survive a real zombie apocalypse.

“I kind of think I do,” Laurie says. “I’ve become an excellent sharpshooter on the show. I’m very good with guns.” There is also all the physical activity, both on and off the set. “I’ve attained certain skill sets on the show that would serve me well.”

She also states that she doesn't think such an apocalypse is ever really going to happen. But if it ever does, you could do far worse than having Andrea on your side.